sweeping

[ swee-ping ]
/ ˈswi pɪŋ /

adjective

of wide range or scope.
moving or passing about over a wide area: a sweeping glance.
moving, driving, or passing steadily and forcibly on.
(of the outcome of a contest) decisive; overwhelming; complete: a sweeping victory.

noun

the act of a person or thing that sweeps.
sweepings, matter swept out or up, as dust, refuse, etc.

Origin of sweeping

First recorded in 1470–80; sweep1 + -ing2, -ing1

OTHER WORDS FROM sweeping

sweep·ing·ly, adverb

Definition for sweeping (2 of 2)

sweep 1
[ sweep ]
/ swip /

verb (used with object), swept, sweep·ing.

verb (used without object), swept, sweep·ing.

noun

Origin of sweep

1
1250–1300; Middle English swepen (v.); compare Old English geswēpa sweepings, derivative of swāpan to sweep (> obsolete English swope); cognate with German schweifen

OTHER WORDS FROM sweep

sweep·a·ble, adjective un·sweep·a·ble, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for sweeping

British Dictionary definitions for sweeping (1 of 2)

sweeping
/ (ˈswiːpɪŋ) /

adjective

comprehensive and wide-ranging sweeping reforms
indiscriminate or without reservations sweeping statements
decisive or overwhelming a sweeping victory
taking in a wide area a sweeping glance
driving steadily onwards, esp over a large area a sweeping attack

Derived forms of sweeping

sweepingly, adverb sweepingness, noun

British Dictionary definitions for sweeping (2 of 2)

sweep
/ (swiːp) /

verb sweeps, sweeping or swept

noun

Derived forms of sweep

sweepy, adjective

Word Origin for sweep

C13 swepen; related to Old English swāpan, Old Norse sveipa; see swipe, swoop

Idioms and Phrases with sweeping

sweep